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The world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The elderly leader has stayed in office for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost a century old.

Election Issues

He ignored numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for only showing up for a single campaign event, spending most of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to the European continent.

Negative reaction concerning his dependence on an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents sought supporters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region after coming back.

Youth Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they have known - more than sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are under the 25 years old.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she maintains "extended rule naturally results in a type of laziness".

"Following four decades, the citizens are exhausted," she says.

Young people's joblessness has become a notable issue of concern for nearly all the contenders running in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15-35 are without work, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth facing challenges in securing official jobs.

Rival Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has also stirred dispute, especially with the exclusion of a political rival from the election contest.

The removal, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a tactic to prevent any significant opposition to the incumbent.

A dozen candidates were authorized to contest for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - both ex- Biya associates from the north of the country.

Election Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a protracted rebellion continues, an election boycott lockdown has been imposed, halting commercial operations, transport and schooling.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have threatened to harm anyone who participates.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been clashing with government forces.

The fighting has to date killed at least 6k individuals and forced almost 500,000 others from their homes.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the highest court has two weeks to declare the results.

The government official has already warned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.

"Candidates who will try to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement against the regulations of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to encounter consequences appropriate for their offense."